People's Stories

Everyone on the Lusitania's last voyage, including passengers and crew.

Thomas McAleavey

About Thomas

Thomas McAleavey was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, on the 30th January 1893, the son of Hugh and Mary McAleavey.

He signed on as a fireman in the Engineering Department on board the Lusitania, at Liverpool, on the morning of 17th April 1915, just before the liner left the River Mersey for the last time. It was not his first voyage on the Cunarder, and as a fireman, his monthly rate of pay was £6-10s.0d, (£6.50p.).

He survived the sinking just over three weeks later when the liner was on her return journey from New York, but he was in the water for some considerable time, before he was picked up, during which period his arm was severely cut open by a piece of floating wreckage.

After his landing at Queenstown and his eventual return to Liverpool, however, he was eventually paid the balance of wages owing to him, which amounted to £4-14s-0d., (£4.70p.), which was also calculated up to and including 8th May, 24 hours after the sinking.

He continued to serve in the mercantile marine for many years,

Thomas married Elizabeth Sharkey in Liverpool in 1923 and they lived at 13, Rimrose Road, Bootle, Lancashire, with their children, later moving to 8, Newport Street, Liverpool.

He died in August 1969 at Whiston Hospital, aged 76 years. He was buried in grave JL 614 at Ford Cemetery on the 21st August 1969.